After the meal, everyone chatted with Aizawa Masato for a while.
Aizawa Masato then took them to explore his fruit and vegetable garden, which was lush and green, with fruits hanging from tall trellises, looking incredibly appetizing.
Aizawa Masato led them to pick some fruits while discussing what they needed to bring for the afternoon camping trip.
After preparing everything, Akira and the others got their tents and sleeping bags ready for an overnight stay on the mountain, as well as the tools needed for dinner, and then bid farewell to Aizawa Masato.
"If you're missing anything, just give me a call, and I'll drive over to deliver it," Aizawa Masato instructed, only relaxing after seeing Akira nod.
The group walked along the mountain path for nearly an hour with their backpacks before finally reaching their destination.
"It's so spacious! The air feels so fresh," Nowa exclaimed.
Akira looked around and then said, "It looks like the river is over there; let's set up our tents a bit closer to it."
"Hmm, setting up the tents early will make it easier to change clothes," Kouki nodded.
So, they all put down their backpacks, took out the prepared tents, and the three of them worked together to set up two tents.
"Aki-Kun, should we start preparing dinner?" Sajuna asked.
"Eh? So early?" Akira looked up in surprise, realizing it might not look good for the girls to watch them work, and then said, "However, even if it's a bit early, we can start preparing."
"Kitagawa-san, Sugaya-san, please also help set up the dinner preparations."
"Alright, alright."
Marin nodded enthusiastically and, together with the other two girls, began setting up the grill stand and other utensils needed for the barbecue.
Of course, the ingredients needed for cooking were also sorted and neatly placed together.
"Akira-kun, do these fruits need to be arranged?" Nowa inquired.
"I remember Grandpa gave us two watermelons, right?"
"Yes."
"Then let's take out that watermelon separately; we can smash it when we play by the river later!"
"Eh, smash a watermelon? But there are only two."
"We have other fruits to eat anyway."
"Akira-kun is right."
Nowa ran back to tell Marin and Sajuna about the arrangements for the ingredients and fruits.
Akira and the other two quickly set up the tents, placing the bedding and sleeping bags they brought in their backpacks inside the tents, and then the girls, having completed their tasks, also came over.
"Akira-kun, are you done?" Marin asked curiously, then tried to lift the tent flap and peer inside.
"We're done.
Do you want to go play by the river?" Akira asked.
"Of course we do!"
"Can we change into our swimsuits now?" Marin asked.
"Yes."
Akira nodded, then turned to ask the two beside him, "Do you want to change now?"
"Yes."
Kouki nodded and then walked into the tent.
"Why is Sajuna still standing there?"
Akira saw that Sajuna was still standing outside the tent, even though Marin and Nowa had already ducked inside.
Looking at Sajuna's slightly flushed cheeks, Akira immediately understood her concern; after all, the other two girls had relatively perfect figures, and compared to them, Sajuna really looked a bit like she hadn't grown up yet.
"You should trust your boyfriend.
I'm really looking forward to Sajuna's swimsuit."
Akira stroked Sajuna's hair, then gently pushed her back, moving her a step closer to the tent.
Sajuna turned around and leaned against Akira's chest, softly saying, "Then Aki-Kun isn't allowed to dislike me."
Akira gently patted Sajuna's back and kissed her forehead.
Only then did Sajuna feel relieved enough to walk into the tent.
"We can't wait!"
"Nowa and I are leaving now!"
"Tetsuya, you come quickly too! Gojo-kun, hurry up!"
Akira heard voices from outside the tent, faintly catching Nowa mentioning something about the two of them being alone.
She really lived up to being someone he helped set up; she really knew how to create an atmosphere for them.
Akira sighed, and seemingly hearing what the girls outside said, Sajuna slowly emerged from the tent only after Marin and Nowa had walked away.
Sajuna wore a straw hat on her head, covering her small face, making her appear even more petite and adorable.
Beneath the straw hat was Sajuna's new swimsuit.
The lace-trimmed swimsuit on Sajuna, while not accentuating her curves like the other girls, highlighted her youthful cuteness even more.
Sajuna's arms hung in front of her, and she awkwardly fidgeted.
Although she had wanted to show Aki-Kun her new swimsuit early, when the moment actually arrived, Sajuna couldn't help but feel nervous.
Because the only time she had worn a swimsuit before was when she was being measured in her room, and that swimsuit wasn't pretty at all.
Aki-Kun wouldn't think she was very unfashionable, Sajuna suddenly thought.
"Sajuna," Akira said, smiling at Sajuna.
"Eh? What is it?" Sajuna instinctively looked up and asked.
"Your swimsuit is very cute," Akira commented, then added, "I really like it."
Sajuna's body slowly relaxed, her clasped hands separated, and a happy expression appeared on her face.
"Thank you, Aki-Kun."
"It's good as long as Aki-Kun likes it…"
"However…" Akira suddenly said, then reached out and took off the straw hat Sajuna was wearing.
"It must be uncomfortable to wear a hat with a ponytail.
Let's untie your ponytail."
"Eh, oh, oh, I forgot…" Sajuna lowered her head a little shyly, then waited for Aki-Kun to untie her ponytail, slowly gathering her hair, feeling a slight tingling on her scalp.
How I wish such days would last forever.
"Alright, let's go to the river together."
Akira stroked Sajuna's hair, then helped her put on her sun-blocking straw hat and held her hand as they walked towards the river.
"Akira-kun, Sajuna-chan, come and play!" Marin stood in the river, her legs in the water, and waved to Akira and Sajuna.
"Marin!" Nowa called Marin's name and splashed water from the river onto Marin.
"Nowa! You're so mean!"
Seeing Sajuna walk over, Marin quickly ran over and pulled Sajuna away.
"Sajuna-chan, come help me! Nowa is so strong!"
Akira watched as Sajuna gradually adapted to the playful atmosphere with Kitagawa and the others, finally feeling relieved.
He then turned and heard the voices of Kouki and Wakana.
"Akira-kun, it seems we don't have a stick for smashing the watermelon."
"Sticks? The woods are full of them; just find a few.
Speaking of which, we'll also need to find some firewood after we finish cooking, right?" Akira replied.
"That's true."
So, the three decided to forgo playing for now and prepare the firewood needed for dinner first.